A clampdown on misconduct in the wake of recent on-court outbursts from Nick Kyrgios and Alexander Zverev is raising fears players will become emotionless "computers and machines".
Former world number one Boris Becker said tennis needed players who wear their hearts on their sleeve in response to the ATP's warning that there will be stricter punishment for on-court misconduct.
Kyrgios was fined for his outbursts at Indian Wells and Miami last month while Zverev was thrown out of a tournament in Acapulco in February after smashing his racket against the umpire's chair during an expletive-laden tirade.
Becker — who is currently facing possible prison time in the UK — had many angry outbursts during his career said the sport needed players to show emotion on court.
"It's more difficult for the players today. Everything is extremely transparent, too transparent for my taste.
"Tennis is also an entertainment sport.
"Emotions are good, a bit of blood, sweat and tears, that stimulates, that was already the case with us. But everything has a limit."
The ATP said it was also reviewing its guidelines to clamp down on repeat offenders after coming under fire for being "soft" on incidents of misconduct.
While some players have called out their fellow professionals over their behaviour, Becker said everyone has to "look in the mirror".
"We're all not perfect, everyone freaks out sometimes and you just don't do that," he said.
"I also call the tennis players teammates, so you really shouldn't comment publicly on other people's misconduct. I think it's wrong."
World number seven and critic of Kyrgios, Casper Ruud said reckless behaviour on court had to stop.
"It kind of brings attention to the sport just in a negative way," Norwegian Ruud told Eurosport.
Reuters/ABC
